I like flea markets and power tools, parties and pillows. I’m a mommy and a decorator, and a diehard DIYer. Join me and my little family as we renovate our new (old) home with lots of love and plenty of elbow grease.

New Hair!!! (and a sneak peek of our master bath)

A couple weeks ago when we were in Phoenix and it was (seriously) 112 degrees, I thought to myself, "Your long hair must go. Like, now."

I have been growing my hair out for a couple years, but I've been bored with it lately. I'm not one to get attached to my hair, and it seems like lots of people are going short lately? I thought it would be a fun change for our big move. Plus, you know, hair grows back usually. No biggie. :)

I made an appointment at fancy Whittemore House for a cut and color (they are famous for their "hair painting" technique - not a foil in sight there).

(ha - just now I was like, what is all over my pants here?! #mirrorsmudges)

I love having short hair again. It takes half as long for my hair to dry and to curl it. But it's still long enough to pull up in a bun or a pony. I think it's fun to switch things up every now and then. This was right after my appointment (and after running through the rain to the subway).

I usually shower at night and wash my hair every two or three days with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Out of the shower, I comb in a styling cream in my damp hair. My friends at Pantene sent me their newest product - the Ultimate 10 BB Creme - about a month ago and I've been loving it on both my long hair and my new short cut. It combines ten hair products into one and really does a great job smoothing without weighing down my fine Swedish hair (seriously - check out the reviews).

After combing in the Pantene BB creme, I sort of toussel and scrunch up my hair to activate a bit of the natural wave I have. Then I go to bed! When I wake up if it needs it, I might selectively curl parts of my hair for a little more wave and bounce. In the summertime especially, I don't try to get "perfect hair" with loose, smooth curls just-so. The curls will end up falling down and my hair will frizz out about five steps out the door anyway, so why not try for that mussed up look from the get-go?

I sometimes also use a little bit of the salt water spray in my hair to get that beachy wave and then a little more of the BB creme on my dry hair to smooth out the ends and fly-aways.

And that's it! It takes about five minutes maybe? A huge deal for this busy mom (in fact these photos were taken right before a big video shoot we had at the brownstone yesterday - excited to share in the next month or two). Plus, my very favorite part of all is how many hair products I've been able to eliminate. Lately I've been using the BB creme, the beach spray and dry shampoo on the days I don't wash my hair - and that's it. You guys, I won't even show you how many hair products I've collected over the years. Such a waste of money and space! I'm getting rid of most all of it when we move. There's not all that much closed storage to speak of in our new master bathroom, so my new hair routine is happily working out for me on all fronts.

What do you think of my new do? I'm already excited for it to be a little longer (and maybe it will be more healthy now that I'm not ever blow-drying and rarely curling it?). Also, it's fun to be a blond again. :) ALSO! That bathtub is going, stat.

Author - we actually did look into buying a lot and building! I think it would be so fun to get to design a home from the ground up. The lots we looked into were a couple hundred thousand (there's just not a great supply) and building the way I'd like to was going to be close to $200 per square foot and we wouldn't be moving in for a year. Even if I go all out, like full-on luxury style with the renos on this house (which I won't), we're saving a huge amount of money. Plus, I write about DIYing and home renovating here on LGN, so no one would be interested in me just buying a perfect house. :) I know it's a lot of ripping out, but we're trying to be smart and responsible about what we pull out and when.xo

Jenny I'm so excited to see the valley house transformation! I have watched you transform the brownstone and think this will be so dramatic. It will be an inspiration to all of us living in newer homes with less character to make the home our own

Adorable haircut - you look great! I too just took off 3 inches this morning and feel pounds lighter. I will definitely look into the Pantene BB product - I already use their shampoo and conditioner. Thanks for sharing!

It really doesn't sound like you care for much of anything in the new house which I think is beautiful. What's wrong with the bathtub? I can understand losing the gingerbread fretwork, but everything else? Man, you've got new wood flooring and it really is move-in ready.

Unknown - I totally agree with you - the house is LOVELY as is! I really feel so grateful that so many of the elements of the house are perfect as they are - truly, a rare treat for me when looking at homes in Arizona. That's why we bought this one. :)

We have plans to be in this house for as long as possible, so I'm just looking to put my stamp on it and make it mine, and would love to share the journey here on LGN. When I write, I'm imaging you readers as my good friends, so sometimes my posts might come across as too jokey or irreverent. I don't mean to offend though. I hope you'll continue to give me the benefit of the doubt as I share my home and personal opinions/style.

About dry shampoo - I love and use a couple of brands. For sprays I like Batiste, Suave and Klorane. But for powder (which is probably my preference), I love Oscar Blandi's Pronto powder.

For the beach spray, Bumble and bumble's is the best if you have a lot/a normal amount of hair. For finer hair like mine, Sacha Juan (who also makes a great dry shampoo/volumizer) has a really awesome, lighter formula that isn't too drying.

Jenny, you're *so* adept at writing these sponsored posts without making them sound really 'sponsor-y.' I love how they always sound like something you would write anyway, but there's a little product rec kind of hidden in them. It really comes across that you actually believe in the product (and I'm sure you are super picky about what you write up). You really are the best at this - brava, you! PS you're super nice at responding to not-so-nice comments, too. I can't wait to see what you do with the new house. xo

It IS all relative. I would describe your present hair as long. I live in Hawaii (hello frizz) and grew my hair out from pixie-short to about your present length because catching it up in a pony tail or on top of my head with a barrette or clip is far more manageable (and cool) than the former short loose hairs.

Your blog has withstood the test of time and is the only one I routinely keep up on. I love it! Love your hair and all the plans for your house. Don't be discouraged by nay sayers! All the projects you have planned for your home will continue to influence mine and others!

You definately are great at responding to people who have a lot to say. (reason number 103 that I don't have a blog.) I don't know a single person who doesn't buy a house to put their own touches on it. especially when you can do it yourself and have the sense of accomplishment. I can't wait to see what you do to the valley house.

I'll say something mean...about someone else. Did you see the picture of Sarah Jessica Parker wearing those sandals, with socks? It's too funny and bizarre, such a fashion icon making such a bad choice. Anyhow, I'm in AZ, moved here from Idaho, living in one of those typical AZ homes so I am anxious to see what you do.

Your hair is adorable! I adore your blog and love your style even more. I don't comment often but I've followed you since before you moved into the loft. You have totally changed the way I think about my own house and I'm so appreciative of that! Like another commenter said, your blog and style really stand the test of time. You have every right to make your house your own. Hopefully you know there are tons of us that are cheering for you!

I just read through the comments and had to give you a little love. I totally agree with your instincts with respect to all the totally crazy fretwork and that monstrosity of a tub. The previous owners of our home installed a jacuzzi tub in our only upstairs bathroom. The tub gets serious funk in the jets and I cringe when I give my littles baths. Good luck to you and your family during this exciting time. Your hair looks great, too!

My husband and I have often commented how glad we are to have an old house that is "fully depreciated" so we don't feel bad about ripping anything out. In the comments when you've explained about the supply of homes in the area you're moving to and the careful consideration that you're giving to repurposing that's been very helpful to understand how you came to the decisions and know that others have the same concerns we do about wasting something that's still useful.

can't wait to see all the new amazing in the valley house. plus, i think it will be so fun for your readers {like me} who have more traditional house spaces...! love the plans so far. and love love your hair....!

I get so excited to read your blog everyday! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see the Valley house transformed and I can't wait to see the brookstone video project you eluded too. Good luck with the move and enjoying your last days in the city.

I'm curious to see what you'll put in place of a tub! Will you put another tub that you like better? I loooove taking baths, so I can't imagine ripping out a tub unless a more awesome one will go in its place. Oh, and super cute hair! :)

Alright you pretty girl..your hair looks fantastic. Wish I was there to help you pack. I can at least guarantee that I am here rooting you on in your endeavors to make this home yours. Thank you for all of the inspiration...

Rip out as much as you want! I'm more then happy to tag along for the ride!!! Anyone who follows your blog knows that one of the reasons you started it was to try and find affordable ways to accomplish designer looks. I've learned so much from you and have certainly learned that you're not wasteful, you're resourceful! You deserve the house of your dreams and I know you can and will accomplish that with as little waste as possible, where possible! Get after it!! I can't wait!Also, if you want to hit me (and us) with a little lipstick knowledge, I'm all ears!!

Congratulations on the new adventure!I bet everyone is excited for your family to be closer. It can be hard living so far away!I CANNOT wait to see what your transformation on this wonderful house! I think it is interesting the other comments mentioning the function of items you want to replace. Decoratating your home is about your design aesthetics- like or dislikes. There are places you can donate home items too, Habitate ReStore for example, so the tub can be reused & not wasted. The house might be move-in ready, but it is still your empty canvas to do as you wish. Please do not curtail sharing your to-do list in your blog because of some outspoken readers. Because honestly, I would do everything your doing as well- including the removing the house flooring, tub AND the bushes in the yard.And probably like you, I want to see it all done- RIGHT NOW! Good luck on making your new home, YOUR dream home and congratulations to your husband for his new job opportunity. It is nice to see good things happen to good people. Thank you for sharing your family and home with us Internet friends. Sincerely,Jeen-Marie

Your hair looks great. IMHO, more sophisticated and polished. I have a prejudice toward shorter hair for most people. Looks so odern and flattering to many. But who am I to have an opinion? Just one of my quirks. You look wonderful no matter what you do.

Your new cut is so fun & easy! the master bath is gorgeous, the brass faucet is my favorite! Can't wait to see the transformation, once you stamp it with your magic, It'll be so much more pleasant for you!

Enjoy your new lower-maintenance hairdo. I'm actually growing mine out now. It's been no longer than chin length for about 10 years. And last week I got it colored (not just highlighted) for the first time ever. Instead of my usual boring brown, now I'm a ginger and loving it!

Or me. I can't believe people have nothing better to do. I mean you are raising kds, take care of your home, work full time for anyone who has ever blogged then they would know even when you aren't working you are dealing with ads sponsors plans, projects, etc. you work so hard, get good deals on some products but its YOUR HOME. And you are sharing it with all of us. If anyone is going to be jealous they need to move to another blog. Showing your home and making changes to your preferences is what you do best. And it's why we all love reading you daily. You have an incredible flair and you always share your sources unlike many other bloggers. Keep it up girlfriend. And make it amazing and show it to us in full glory. Bc your husband has worked till all hours( as you've said) and you are moving to a new home new state new beginning. Please don't even answer those comments anymore. You are such a lovely lady.